Out of love for Cebu: Japanese national organizes cleanup drive

CEBU, Philippines - Around 30 foreign and local individuals gathered for a cleanup drive from Cebu IT Park to JY Square yesterday as part of the Cebu Dream Activity initiated by a Japanese National, who is currently staying in Cebu.

Hironobu Maehara, a 27-year-old Japanese national and a language translator in a BPO Company in Cebu, headed the cleanup drive project, together with his co-members of the Cebu Language Exchange and volunteers.

Maehara said it saddens him to see trash along the streets in a place that is known to be beautiful.

"I chose Cebu because Cebu is nice and beautiful, but I was surprised because there are many trashes in the street, I was so shock and I was so sad, I want it to change, I want to change this beautiful place," said Maehara.

Cebu Language Exchange is a group based in Cebu that conducts casual meet-ups to help those who are interested in learning languages such as English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese. Maehara is the founder of the organization.

In their casual meet-ups, they would also organize humanitarian activities to benefit those who are in need.

Their activities include a monthly feeding program and painting workshop for street children.  Claire Codilla, a graduating student and one of the 30 volunteers, admires Maehara's concern for Cebu.

She said she felt overwhelmed and a bit dismayed after seeing piles of trash in the streets.

"I see so much passion in Hiro nga siya ju'y nag-start aning Cebu Dream Activity and then it's his dream to cleanup  Cebu. Cebuanos, what is your dream?" she said, as she calls on to her fellow Cebuanos to do their part in cleaning up Cebu.

Cebu Dream Activity is an activity by Cebu Learning Exchange headed by Maehara with the support of the Cebu Green project that aims for a cleaner Cebu.

Maehara came up with the idea in order to remind the Cebuano community on the proper way of dealing with garbage. According to him, 30 to 40 years ago, Japan was the same as Cebu, but with the awareness and involvement of the people in such activities, their garbage issue was resolved. He said the same could also happen in Cebu.

"I hope this movement will grow bigger and bigger. We can change Cebu, more beautiful. You guys, if you can change the trash issues, it would be very nice, you guys have the beautiful heart," he added.

Aileen Saromines, a member of Cebu Language Exchange, expressed the great significance of the activity.

"Through ani kay amo ma- remind ang mga taw, kahibaw naman na sila unsay buhaton sa basura so amo lang sila e-remind nga di magpasagad og labay  kay ilabi na karon nga ting-uwan na, mao baya na ang usa sa mga cause sa baha," she said.  — (FREEMAN)